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Just How "Well Intended" is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)?

By
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  Well intended??  Or, merely an exercise of raw power with no understanding of the dynamics of mortgage borrowing or lending. 

In an excellent series of articles by George Souto examines the rule limiting the DTI for mortgage loans, regardless to down payment, to 43%.  See:  Trying To Add Apples & Oranges Makes For Bad Math

Consider the history of the Veterans Administration home loan benefit for qualified home buyers.  While not insured, a percentage of the VA loan is guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.   However, following an analysis of the VA borrower's income, benefits, family size, etc.  DTI may be as much as 50% (or more).  Yet, the VA loan enjoys the lowest default rate of all mortgage loans, including conventional loans with down payments.  

George Souto wrote:  "This QM rule is well intended".

I dispute that statement. 

"Well intended" would require a modicum of expertise in the matter about which one is wielding significant power over millions of citizens.  Without the requisite expertise, rule making is no more than an exercise of raw power to express one's personal biases. 

In this case, the rule making philosophy of the CFPC and this arbitrary example reveals a contempt for the ability of low to moderate income citizens to have the degree of personal financial management ability to have the right to own real estate. 

As with most government rule making in recent years, the rules are meant to exclude as many consumers as possible in the arrogant belief that the role of government is to make personal financial decisions for the ignorant masses.

Personal situations that these rules ignore include but are not limited to:

Spousal income not included in loan applicant's application,
Upward mobility of applicant's earning ability (young professionals),
Trailing spouse's temporary loss of income,
Long term stable W-2 income,
Higher DTI front ratio with no installment debt.

These are just a few examples of credit worthy prospective home buyers who will be denied home ownership because of the ignorance of the CFPB rule making.

Real estate agents and loan officers will be witnesses to the harm this new and unnecessary rule will cause. 

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Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.  Serving home buyers in Loudoun County, Virginia.

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Lenn Harley, Broker, Realtor, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988

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Comments(7)

Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

What's that about the most frightening words in the English language?  Oh yeah, "I'm from the gubment and I'm here to help..."

Jan 20, 2013 07:14 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Lenn.  The road to hell is paved with the "well intended".

Jan 20, 2013 07:19 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jay.  indeed and it was never more applicable than today.

Conrad.  You are right on target.  I merely question their motivation.  Is it helpful or controling.

Jan 20, 2013 07:26 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Lenn, love this statement that you made

 "As with most government rule making in recent years, the rules are meant to exclude as many consumers as possible in the arrogant belief that the role of government is to make personal financial decisions for the ignorant masses."

The fact is that they are the ones that are in need of decisions made for them, and if anyone doubts that, all they need to do is to see what all these brilliant politicians have done to our countries economy, and how they have devalued the American dollar.

Jan 20, 2013 10:47 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

George.  Thanks.  You're giving me a lot of material to piggy-back on with this excellent series.  Just ignore my cynicism.  It's well entrenched now.

BTW, I just heard a quote by Bill Gates this morning that he (Gates) has no use for money. 

I love it when the very rich make statements like that.  Another one I have no use for is Buffett with his opinion that our taxes are too low.   Rather than shielding his assets in a trust (along with Gates), why didn't they just contribute it to the U.S. Treasury to reduce the national debt.

HA!

 

Jan 20, 2013 11:00 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Government dictates are of no help for the consumers...they are drafted by individuals who for the most part have never worked in the industry.  By the waycouldn't agree more on Gates & Buffet...put up or shut up.

Jan 21, 2013 11:12 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Laura.  Sensible conclusions indeed.  So often, regulation is just another word for favortism.

Jan 21, 2013 11:18 PM